Ah, hello. I'm Shane and I'll be guiding you through Manchester City's Group E clash with CSKA Moscow tonight. It's matchday four of the Champions League and Manuel Pellegrini's side can ill-afford another setback in a European campaign that is yet to spawn a victory.

I dunno. Perhaps it's a damning indictment for the Premier League if the English champions suffer a third group-stage exit in four years, but that is the reality facing City tonight, my friends. They can't go out tonight, but with games against Roma and Bayern Munich on the horizon, anything less than a victory tonight makes their route to the last 16 far more treacherous.

The Citizens sit third in the group on two points, one ahead of CSKA and two behind Roma in second. Bayern? Forget about them; they're top with nine points and, barring an Arsenal-type capitulation, they'll comfortably progress as group winners. It's a dog-fight for second, and City need to show their teeth tonight.

How have City found themselves in such a precarious situation then? Let's have a look. They kicked off Group E with a late defeat at Bayern Munich, before drawing with Roma and CSKA in their previous outings to leave their progression into the last 16 very much up in the air. It was that 2-2 in Moscow that really hurt them, having earned a two-goal lead before being pegged back.

Could we argue that Pellegrini's long-term presence at Eastlands hinges on making notable strides in this competition? I think so. Winning the Premier League is all good and well, but there will come a point when City's hierarchy will demand repeated domestic success as well as clear improvement on the European stage.

I don't know the City big-wigs personally, but I am quite certain they're cut-throat types; if they weren't then Roberto Mancini would still be in the job on sentiment after winning a league for them in 2012. But no, he was sacked and his past achievements were forgotten. It's vicious, but that's the way it has to be at an ambitious club - and something tells me the Sky Blues have far bigger plans than winning an occasional title.

It's all been a bit doom and gloom for City so far in this commentary, so how about a positive note? They beat arch-rivals Manchester United 1-0 on Saturday to end a three-game winless run in all competitions; a victory that will have restored so much confidence within the squad following that rough patch.

Have I forgotten about CSKA Moscow? Of course not, and I promise we'll have a closer look at them very shortly. But first we must source team news for this. I'll have this imminently so stay tuned!

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Hart; Kompany, Zabaleta, Clichy, Demichelis; Fernando, Milner, Jesús Navas, Toure, Jovetic; Aguero

CSKA MOSCOW XI: Akinfeev; Mário Fernandes, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski, Schennikov; Wernbloom, Dzagoev, R. Eremenko, Natcho; Musa, Doumbia

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Boyata, Mangala, Nasri, Dzeko, Fernandinho

CSKA MOSCOW SUBS: Chepchugov, A. Berezutski, Nababkin, Efremov, Cauņa, G. Milanov, Bazelyuk.

Okay so let's start with the hosts and I can tell you that Pellegrini has stuck to a winning formula and named an identical first XI from Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Sergio Aguero, of course, spearheads the attack, with James Milner and Jesus Navas supporting him from the flanks, while Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure line up behind him. Further back you'll find Fernando, who sits in front of the same back-four that held United at bay. Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis and Gael Clichy. Joe Hart between the sticks. There you have it.

On to the Russians now and their two goalscorers from last month's 2-2 draw - Seydou Doumbia and Bebras Natcho - are back more for tonight. Doumbia partners Ahmed Musa up front, while Natcho, who has eight goals this season, lines up alongside Alan Dzagoev, Roman Eremenko and Pontus Wernbloom in midfield. Igor Akinfeev starts between the sticks, behind a defence of Mario Fernandes, Sergei Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutski and Georgi Schennikov. Thank god this is a text commentary; my pronounciations would've caused an international incident.

City fans might've been looking forward to booing ex-United winger Zoran Tosic tonight - if they remember him after a largely unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford - but he's not even on the bench.

What do we make of CSKA then? Leonid Slutski (that's not the Russian for a promiscuous woman) has named a decent team. Can they defy the odds and pull off a shock here tonight? Not according to the bookies, who rate them as 9/1 outsiders to win this evening. Fair? Probably, given City's calibre, but we can't rule them out completely.

The Russians sit second in their domestic league behind Zenit St Petersburg; they lost by the odd goal against Bayern Munich and, as we've discussed, drew with City 2-2 last month. They're not quite as poor their billing suggests. How can they be if they're only one point behind Pellegrini's men? Decent logic that.

DANGER MAN! Who can CSKA look to for a bit of inspiration if they are to pull off an upset? Probably Doumbia, who has eight Champions League goals under his belt and six in the Russian Premier League so far this season. As we mentioned, he netted against the Citizens in Moscow so last month so Pellegrini will want to keep an eye on him tonight.

DANGER MAN! Who is City's key man tonight then? Well there's a host of big-name talent out there, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest at the moment: Sergio Aguero. The Argentine has struck 12 times in 10 outings this season and has scored seven in four games against Russian opposition. Ignashevich and Berezutski have such a big ask to keep him quiet tonight.

Bonfire night at the Etihad. Hopefully the match has the same type of fireworks to match those illuminating the Manchester skyline. 12 minutes until kickoff.

PREDICTION: Right, kickoff is rapidly approaching so let's lodge a pre-match prediction, shall we? City have been as inconsistent as they come this season, but it's such a big job for CSKA to leave the Etihad with anything but a defeat. I reckon 3-1 City. I never get these right unfortunately, so don't leg it to the bookies.

Incidentally, I can confirm that Bacary Sagna is in charge of that fireworks display. He hasn't had much to do since joining City so they just give him odd jobs to keep him busy.

Right, so the players are emerging from the tunnel and line up on the field, while the City fans attempt to drown out the Champions League anthem with a chorus of boos. They weren't allowed to attend the 2-2 draw in Moscow last month due to CSKA's stadium ban, so they're a bit aggrieved. Understandable, really.

KICKOFF! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're off at the Etihad Stadium. City, playing from right to left, get us underway. This will be a decent game I reckon; a draw does not suit either team in the slightest.

Precarious start by City as Clichy concedes a free kick just outside the box after Musa's cross struck his hand.

Would you believe it! The Russians score directly from that free kick as Seydou Doumbia escapes Yaya Toure to head Ahmed Musa's cross past Joe Hart. What a miserable start from City. There's a distinct lack of atmosphere inside the stadium, too.

CHANCE! Really good response from City after that early set-back, as Aguero holds the ball up really well before releasing the Navas on the right, but his first-time shot flashes well over the bar. He could've squared it to Jovetic too but he elected to shoot. Poor decision.

Good work from Jovetic who wins a free kick just outside the box by dancing between a few defenders before being fouled. Yaya Toure will be licking his lips at this....

What a fine free kick from Toure! We said he'd be licking his lips and the big man stepped up and curled a delightful ball over the wall past the helpless Akinfeev. He needed that because it was he who lost Doumbia for the earlier goal. Well done to him. Between a loss of form and being racially abused by Twitter trolls recently, it's been a mixed start to the season for him.

Just a reminder that I'll be keeping you apprised of everything that happens at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern host Roma in the night's other Group E game. It's goalless as it stands.

CSKA have been the better team since City pegged them back but no real chances to speak of since Toure's free kick.

SHOT! Natcho looks to re-establish CSKA's lead, but it's a shocking attempt and his shot, which was heading well wide anyway, deflected off Doumbia to take it even further off course.

CHANCE! Good lord, CSKA could, and really should, be ahead once more. Dzagoev played Doumbia through one-on-one with Joe Hart, but he had too much time to think about it and the Ivorian thrashed wide of the target. Brilliant chance but didn't have the finish to match.

SHOT! Fine work from Aguero as the Argentine gets his first shot at goal, but his angled effort is saved by the feet of Akinfeev.

CSKA look really quite dangerous every time they go forward. Strikers Doumbia and Musa provide plenty of movement, but their support players are yet to pick them out apart from Dzagoev's earlier ball.

BOOKING! Pontus Wernbloom becomes the first player to be booked after obstructing Yaya Toure in an incident which sent the Ivorian and all 18 stone of him flying through the air. Good decision.

City enjoying a really good spell of possession now but, to their credit, CSKA defence is standing very strong.

SAVE! This is an excellent save from Akinfeev, who makes amends after flapping at James Milner's corner, but Jovetic gets a toe on the ball to flick it goalward and the Russian keeper does well to change direction and save with his feet.

We've got a very, very, decent game at the Etihad, my friends. Doumbia bags his second of the night to give CSKA the lead once more. Clichy's shameful excuse of a clearance is pounced on by Natcho, who plays in the Ivorian on the left-hand side before Doumbia passes beyond Hart in cool fashion. He missed an earlier chance but he has certainly made amends. City have major defensive problems.

Great pace from Shenikov to chase Jesus Navas of all people and the Russian did well to dispossess him and break up the account. CSKA are good value for this lead, you know. They've been very decent so far.

UPDATE: Bayern Munich have moved into a 1-0 lead over Roma at the Allianz Arena, courtesy of Franck Ribery. As it stands in Group E, CSKA move joint second on four points with Roma, while City sit rock bottom!

Four minutes left until the break here. I don't know if Pellegrini is one to dish out the hairdryer treatment, but if he is then Clichy might want to brace himself because he's been truly shocking in this half.

City finishing the half in the ascendancy at least but it doesn't look like they're going to nick a goal before the whistle.

Now then! What a miserable half of football for Manchester City, who trail 2-1 to CSKA Moscow at the Etihad Stadium. It is deserved? Absolutely. They've been very, very decent, while City have looked rather toothless going forward and spineless in defence.

Clichy, in particular, is having an absolute mare at left-back. He conceded a free kick with a handball that led to the first goal after a minute, before his poor clearance directly led to the second goal, too. He's been terrible.

Incidentally, it's 1-0 to Bayern against Roma at the Allianz Arena. As it stands, Group E is looking like this:

Bayern 12
Roma 4
CSKA Moscow 4
Man City 2

As you can see from my make-shift table, City are in big, big trouble if they can't find a way to drag three points out of this one. Their next two games are home to Bayern and away to Roma; how many points will they take from that? Exactly. It's the biggest 45 minutes of City's season here, folks.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Here come the cavalry. Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas make way for Fernandinho and Samir Nasri respectively. Lord knows how Clichy is still on. I led Fulham to UEFA Cup glory in Championship Manager 2001-02 so, you know, I know a thing or two about management.

RESTART: Aaaaaaaaaand we're back underway at the Etihad. Massive 45 minutes for the hosts' season.

Sergio Aguero looks to grab the game by the scruff of neck as he dances his way through a few challenges in the box before going down to ground, but no penalty awarded. None even appealed I don't think.

This is fantastic play from Ahmed Musa, who skins a lethargic looking Clichy, before doing to the same to Demichelis and fizzing a ball into the box but Joe Hart does well to collect.

The City fans have a responsibility here, too. A chorus of boos met CSKA as they emerged from the tunnel, but City would've heard them and it doesn't make for an ideal atmosphere. They broke into a few Blue Moon chants in the first half, but overall it's been eerily quiet at the Etihad. Do your team a favour lads.

Fantastic work from Toure, who powers his way into the box and goes down under a challenge. This incident looks far more worthy of a penalty appeal but there's nothing doing.

CLOSE! Aguero is inches away from firing City back on level terms, as Milner fizzes an excellent cross into the box but the Argentine isn't tall enough to connect with the ball. Dzeko would've reached it. Just saying.

City fans a little more vocal now, in a good way. They're getting behind their team and fulfilling their role as the cliched 12th man. They'll need an extra man to break down this defence. They're looking good back there.

SAVE! Huge save from Akinfeev, saving with his feet to deny James Milner from close range! He's made one or two excellent stops in this game. Still, Milner probably should have done better.

Just a few signs that City are beginning to turn the screw as Milner's fantastic cross is cleared away, before Zabaleta latches on to the ball and fires a left-footed wide.

SUBSTITUTION: What a fantastic sub to be able to make. Pellegrini replaces Fernando with Edin Dzeko for this last 25 minutes or so. That's their last sub!

SUBSTITUTION: CSKA make their first sub, meanwhile, as Doumbia makes way for Georgi Milanov. He didn't look happy about coming off; probably because he's on a hat-trick.

RED CARD! Fernandinho is sent off after earning a second yellow card for obstruction. What a stupid, stupid moment from the Brazilian, just minutes after City made their last sub. It's all going wrong for the hosts tonight.

They have plenty of goalscoring talent out there, but can one of them step up? Just a reminder that ideally they have to score twice to have a realistic shot at making the last 16. I'm afraid the Premier League champions may just be on their way out of the competition.

CHANCE! Excellent from Akinfeev again, beating Dzeko to a 50-50 ball following Aguero's lovely weighted ball. He's been excellent tonight the keeper.

Yaya Toure is so lucky to stay on the field. He's already been booked, and the Ivorian pulled back Natcho, leaving him on the turf and somehow managed to avoid a second yellow card. Crazy from Toure and the referee.

11 minutes left and dare I say that City don't really look like finding an equaliser - and even if they did it won't help their Champions League cause a whole lot. They badly need three points.

RED CARD: Yaya Toure is off! City are down to nine after Toure shoves Eremenko to the floor in a moment of sheer frustration. I think it was actually a straight card, despite him already being booked. That's it, I'm afraid.

City found it hard to break down this CSKA defence even with 11 men, but they've got nine now so it's game over. They're still pushing forward, however.

SAVE! This might be Hart's first save of the night, as the City keeper tips over Musa's stinging effort.

Believe it or not folks, but City really should be down to eight men after Nasri kicks out at Natcho on that left-hand side. He wasn't going for the ball; it was just malicious from the Frenchman, who's very lucky to remain on the field.

BOOKING: Aguero booked for diving inside the area. The referee had blown and it looked like a stick-on penalty, but to the referee's credit he got the decision spot on - he dived. Desperate times for City.

CSKA just going through the motions now as they look to defend this lead, which they most definitely should now. City are fresh out of ideas.

Wow. That was truly a bizarre game of football, and I'm not sure where to start in summing it up.

City trailed 2-1 at the break after a brace from Seydou Doumbia helped the Russians into a narrow lead at the break. The hosts tried and failed to get back on levels, before red cards for both Fernandinho and Yaya Toure in the second-half soured the game.

Shocking from City, really poor. They're now on the brink of a Champions League group-stage exit for the third time in four seasons. Who said the Premier League is the best in the world?

Anyway, thanks for joining our live commentary of the clash. I need therapy after it. But stay tuned for match analysis and player ratings. Cheerio.